Rodgers had pushed the Welsh club to sign Sigurdsson, who he also worked with at Reading, but the Northern Irishman's move to Anfield could prompt a rethink by the player.

"Gylfi came to Swansea because I was there as manager and his scoring record was fantastic," Rodgers said.

He has vowed to let Sigurdsson talk to the new Swansea boss first - after agreeing with chairman Huw Jenkins not to poach any of his former players for 12 months - but said he would make a move for the Iceland international should any talks break down.

Rodgers added: "I pushed the club to make an agreement [to sign Sigurdsson permanently] and they did that in terms of the fee - and agreed the salary.

"So I have said to Huw: 'I'm not going to do anything untoward.

"This is a guy you want, but it is down to Gylfi'.

"If he comes on the market I have to be interested. He knows that I rate his qualities and abilities.

"I said to Huw: 'If I speak to the kid I'll tell him to speak to the new manager, whoever that is'.

"But if he's not comfortable with that, he's in the market place then - and I have to look at him."